Installing New Machines

A new host is installed by first creating an LCFG file specifying the configuration. Frequently, this contains only included classes and, if the machine is intended to be identical to an existing one, then the LCFG file for the existing machine can simply be copied. This example shows a typical configuration for a student laboratory machine:

  #include <linuxdef.h>
  #include <linux_rh62.h>
  #include <linux_wire_at1.h>
  #include <linux_cs1.h>
  #include <dell_optiplex_g1.h>

The included classes define the machine as a Linux system, running Redhat 6.2, using servers on the Ethernet segment AT1, configured as a standard first year Computer Science undergraduate machine, and based on Dell G1 hardware.

At present, the Ethernet and IP addresses are entered separately into the NIS and DNS tables, however, there is no reason why these values could not be generated from the LCFG configuration file. The machine is then booted from an install floppy ³, and after a single warning prompt, it performs a full unattended install.

Footnotes

... floppy³

Portables normally require a CD rather than a floppy because of the extra drivers required for the PCMCIA